Winter Formic

Ender had it easy. He never dealt
with the stress of grade seven depression.

The vacant expanse of this starlit space
mostly serves to deter two species from
making contact before each are ready
for the enormity of the event.

Until one brave soldier launches across
the emptiness, wonder and misunder-
standing against the far wall. And that’s all
it takes. More assemble, as if called by
ansible; they venture forth to raise arms
against a foe that no man claims to know.

Post-battle, comprehension dawns, and aches:
the soldier sees the war was a mistake.